Closure device for package under relative vacuum

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a closure device for a package comprising a first panel ( 2 ) and a second superposed panel ( 3 ) with superposed through-openings ( 5 ) and a third panel ( 4 ) with at least one opening ( 11 ), the third panel ( 4 ) being able to occupy two positions in which the opening ( 11 ) is either superposed on said openings ( 5 ) of the other panels ( 2, 3 ) or is not superposed thereon. The second panel and/or the first panel ( 3, 2 ) comprises at least one tube ( 6 ) attached in a substantially perpendicular manner to its surface oriented toward said first panel ( 2 ) respectively the second panel ( 3 ) and housing a channel in communication with said at least one opening ( 5 ) of the second panel ( 3 ) respectively of the first panel ( 2 ), said at least one tube ( 6 ) making it possible to attach the first panel ( 2 ) and the second panel ( 3 ) together.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for closing a bag or a package makingit possible to produce a relative vacuum in such a bag or package, theclosure device comprising a first panel with at least onethrough-opening, a second superposed panel comprising at least onethrough-opening at least partially superposed on said at least oneopening of the first panel and a connection means, and a third panelcomprising at least one opening, the third panel being capable of aconnection with said connection means of the second panel so as to beable to occupy two positions, a first position in which the opening isat least partially superposed on said at least one opening of the othertwo panels and a second position in which this opening is not superposedon an opening of the other two panels so as to represent a sealedobstacle to a flow of gas through the device, a package as suchfurnished with such a device, and the use of such a package in order tostore commodities under relative vacuum.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

This type of closure device described in European patent EP 1 808 383 issuitable for numerous applications which do not necessarily require aperfect vacuum but only a relative vacuum, hence for which a simple andlow-cost solution is sufficient. The inventor of the device described inthis patent has however stated that, for certain other applications, itwould be desirable to improve this closure device, respectively thecorresponding package.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of the present invention consists in improvingseveral facets of said closure device respectively of the correspondingpackage, notably concerning the attachment of the device and its seal,without however excessively increasing its complexity and even itsprice, while still making it possible to produce via said closure devicea relative vacuum in a simple and user-friendly manner, compatible witha large number of packages in order to offer a multitude ofapplications.

The subject of the invention is a closure device of the abovementionedtype, wherein the second panel and/or the first panel comprises at leastone tube attached in a substantially perpendicular manner to its surfaceoriented toward said first panel respectively the second panel andhousing a channel in communication with said at least one opening of thesecond panel respectively of the first panel, the tube having a lengthcapable of at least partially traversing said at least one opening ofthe first panel respectively of the second panel so as to attach thefirst panel and the second panel together when the second panel ispositioned on the first panel.

Advantageously, the first panel and/or the second panel comprises alayer made of flexible material in its zone comprising said at least oneopening, said layer having at least one opening with a diameter that isslightly smaller than the diameter of said at least one opening of thispanel and superposed on this opening, and said at least one tube of thesecond panel respectively of the first panel has an external diametercorresponding to the diameter of said at least one opening of the firstpanel respectively of the second panel, so that said at least one tubeof the second panel respectively of the first panel is capable ofinteracting with the first panel respectively the second panel in orderto attach the two panels together.

Said at least one tube of the second panel respectively of the firstpanel may be a separately manufactured part comprising an attachmenthead and is incorporated into the second panel respectively the firstpanel while being placed in a housing of the panel and covered by anattachment panel having at least one opening superposed on said at leastone opening of the panel.

Alternatively, said at least one tube of the second panel respectivelyof the first panel may be manufactured in one piece with said panel.

The layer made of flexible material of the first panel and/or of thesecond panel is attached inside the panel or on its surface orientedtoward the second panel respectively the first panel.

This layer made of flexible material of the first panel and/or thesecond panel may be attached in the panel in a removable manner and maybe manufactured in elastomer, silicone or rubber.

Preferably, the third panel comprises, on its surface oriented towardthe second panel and in its zone superposed in the second position ofthe third panel on said at least one opening of the other two panels, alayer made of flexible material.

In a preferred embodiment, the layer made of flexible material of thethird panel is freely housed in a housing provided in the third panel onits surface oriented toward the second panel.

Said layer made of flexible material of the third panel may also bemanufactured in elastomer, silicone or rubber.

It is however preferable that the first panel and the second panelcomprise several circular openings with a diameter of between 2 and 10millimeters and/or that the third panel comprises a connection meanscapable of interacting with a standard vacuum cleaner.

The connection means between the second panel and the third panel maycomprise slides and/or a rotation spindle.

The invention also relates to a package comprising an opening and atleast one flap closing this opening, the package comprising such aclosure device the first panel of which is placed beneath the flap andthe second and third panels of which are placed on the flap, said atleast one tube of the second panel and/or of the first panel beingapplied through the flap so as to attach the closure device to thepackage, and said package comprises at least one opening in the flapcorresponding with at least one opening of the first panel and of thesecond panel.

Preferably, the package is parallelepipedal, made of a flexible materialand its opening is closed by four flaps.

The invention also relates to the use of such a package for storingcommodities under relative vacuum.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The appended drawings represent, as an example, several embodiments ofthe invention.

FIG. 1 represents a top exploded view of the elements of a closuredevice according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 represents a top view of the closure device of FIG. 1 in itsassembled position and in the open position.

FIG. 3 a is an exploded view in partial longitudinal section along theline I-I in FIG. 2 of the first embodiment of a closure device accordingto the present invention; FIGS. 3 b and 3 c show schematically andsimilarly to the longitudinal section on the line I-O in FIG. 2longitudinal sections of two other embodiments of a closure deviceaccording to the present invention, the device being, as in FIG. 3 a, inits position before its assembly and corresponding to a closed position.

FIG. 4 a represents a view in perspective of an open bag compatible witha closure device according to the invention; FIG. 4 b represents the bagfilled with substances and closed by a closure device according to theinvention in the phase of producing the relative vacuum; FIG. 4 crepresents the above bag after the relative vacuum has been produced.

FIG. 5 represents a top view of a package according to a variantembodiment with the flaps fully open.

FIG. 6 a represents in perspective a top view of a package according tothe variant of FIG. 5 in a first phase of folding the flaps; FIG. 6 brepresents in perspective a top view of a package according to thevariant embodiment in a second phase of folding the flaps; FIG. 6 crepresents a view in perspective of the package according to the variantembodiment with the flaps fully folded.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention will now be described in detail with reference to theappended drawings which illustrate, as an example, several embodimentsof the invention.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, it is noted that the closure device 1according to the present invention comprises three superposed panels 2,3, 4. The bottom panel 2 comprises a zone with at least one through-hole5 that is 0.5 to 15 mm in diameter. Preferably, these holes have adiameter from 2 to 10 mm and are even in number, but may be morenumerous depending on their diameter. The intermediate panel 3 alsocomprises a zone furnished with through-holes 5 positioned so as to besuperposed on the holes 5 of the bottom panel 2 when the two panels areattached one on the other as will be described below. This intermediatepanel 3 normally comprises lateral longitudinal slides 8 and atransverse edge 9, so as to allow a sliding connecting of the top panel4, which may be inserted into the slides 8 via the last side 10 of theintermediate panel 3 and slide in the slides 8 until it abuts theopposite edge 9. In this embodiment, the top panel 4 has a circularthrough-opening 11 with a diameter of approximately 30 mm correspondingto the connector of a standard consumer vacuum cleaner and which alsocorresponds to the dimensions of the zones with through-holes 5 of thetwo panels 2, 3.

FIG. 2 illustrates the three superposed panels in an open position, inwhich the opening 11 is superposed on the zones with through-holes 5 ofthe two panels 2, 3. The device can easily be placed in the closedposition by having the top panel 4 slide to the left until it abuts theedge 9. In this closed position not shown in FIG. 2, the through-holes 5will be covered by the solid zone 12 of the top sliding panel 4 whichtherefore obstructs these openings and provides the seal for the system.

Instead of making a linear movement as shown in FIG. 2, the third panel4 could equally, according to another embodiment not shown in thefigures, be mounted on the intermediate panel 3 with the aid of arotation spindle allowing it to make a rotary movement in order to reachits two positions. In this case, the top panel 4 preferably has nocircular through-opening 11 of large diameter as mentioned above, buthas at least one opening of smaller diameter, preferably of the samediameter as the through-holes 5. By rotation of the panel 4, theseopenings can be superposed on the through-holes 5 of the bottom panel 2and of the intermediate panel 3. This is one of the reasons why an evennumber such as 2 or 4 of through-holes 5 in the bottom panel 2 and theintermediate panel 3 respectively with holes of smaller diameter in thetop panel 4 is preferable, the rotation spindle therefore being able tobe arranged symmetrically between the holes 5. It is equally possible toprovide, in this case, a coloring of certain portions of the top surfaceof the intermediate panel 3 so that these portions are visible throughthe openings of smaller diameter in the top panel 4 when the latter isin the closed position. All these measures can clearly also be envisagedfor the first embodiment with linear movement of the top panel 4.

Furthermore, the third panel 4 could also have, in the abovementionedembodiments, a connection means in the form of a connector protrudingfrom its top face surrounding the opening 11 respectively the set ofopenings of smaller diameter and adapted by its diameter to receive saidconnector of a standard vacuum cleaner. In this case, this protrudingconnector may be used as a lever in order to move the third panel 4,whether it be a linear or rotary movement. Instead of a connector, agroove in the top panel 4 surrounding the opening 11 respectively theopenings of smaller diameter and adapted to receive said connector of astandard vacuum cleaner may be provided. It is also possible to providean adaptation means in the form of a downsizing adaptor designed to bemounted on a standard vacuum cleaner or any other means designed tocreate the vacuum. This downsizing adaptor is arranged so as to be ableto be mounted via one of its ends onto the vacuum cleaner and via theother end onto the opening or openings of the top panel 4.

In another variant, the through-holes 5 of the bottom panel 2 and/or ofthe intermediate panel 3 may be fitted with a filter having holes ofsmaller diameter, preferably from 0.1 to 1 mm. This filter is usefuldepending on the product intended to be placed in the bag or even thepackage. FIG. 3 a illustrates in greater detail the arrangement of thethree panels 2, 3, 4 of an embodiment of a closure device according tothe present invention by showing schematically a partially exploded viewin longitudinal section on the line I-I in FIG. 2. The device in FIG. 3a is in the position just before its assembly and corresponding to itsclosed position. In this embodiment, the second panel 3 comprises atleast one tube 6 attached in a substantially perpendicular manner to itssurface oriented toward said first panel 2. The tube 6 houses a channelthat is in communication with said at least one opening 5 of the secondpanel 3, the channel having a diameter chosen according to the diameterof the through-hole 5, preferably of approximately 2 to 10 mm. The tube6 has a length capable of traversing at least partially said at leastone opening 5 of the first panel 2 when the second panel 3 is positionedon the first panel 2. It should be noted here that said at least onetube 6 could, alternatively or simultaneously, be placed also on thesurface of the first panel 2 oriented toward said second panel 3, with alength capable of traversing at least partially said at least oneopening 5 of the second panel 3. The explanations in the followingdescription apply similarly to this inverse constellation, without itbeing explicitly repeated every time.

In addition, it is advantageous that, depending on the position of saidat least one tube 6, the first panel 2 and/or the second panel 3comprises a layer 7 made of flexible material in its zone comprisingsaid at least one opening 5. Said layer 7 has at least one opening 7.1with a diameter B slightly smaller than the diameter A of said at leastone opening 5 of this panel 2, 3 and is superposed on this opening 5.The at least one tube 6 of the second panel 3 respectively of the firstpanel 2 has an external diameter C corresponding to the diameter A ofsaid at least one opening 5 of the first panel 2 respectively of thesecond panel 3, so that said at least one tube 6 of the second panel 3respectively the first panel 2 is capable of interacting with the firstpanel 2 respectively the second panel 3 in order to attach the twopanels 2, 3 together. By these measures, it is possible that the closuredevice does not need distinct attachment means such as attachment wedgesor lugs on one panel and attachment openings with a matching geometry onthe other panel, which would require additional through-holes in thepackage or even the bag. So the present invention makes it possible toprovide a mechanical fastening between the first panel 2 and the secondpanel 3 while using only said at least one tube 6. This tubesimultaneously houses the channel allowing, in the open position of thedevice, gas to flow through the device. By providing these two functionsvia the single means of the tube 6, the sealing and the attachment ofthe device are greatly improved.

FIG. 3 a also shows that said at least one tube 6 of the second panel 3,respectively of the first panel 2, in the inverse constellation, may bea separately manufactured part comprising an attachment head with adiameter exceeding the external diameter of its portion comprising themajority of the channel. This type of tube 6 is incorporated into thesecond panel 3 respectively the first panel 2 by placing the attachmenthead into a housing of the panel 3, 2 and by subsequently covering itwith an attachment panel having at least one opening superposed on saidat least one opening 5 of the panel 2, 3. Any other appropriate meansmay be used for this purpose, as long as it ensures that the attachmenthead of each tube 6 is attached in the mass of the panel 2, 3.

Alternatively, and as illustrated schematically in FIG. 3 b, said atleast one tube 6 of the second panel 3 respectively of the first panel 2may be manufactured in one piece with said panel 3, 2.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b also show, as an example, that the layer 7 made offlexible material of the first panel 2 and/or of the second panel 3,depending on whether said at least one tube 6 is placed in the secondpanel 3 and/or the first panel 2, is attached inside the panel 2, 3 oron its surface oriented toward the second panel 3 respectively the firstpanel 2. Preferably, this layer 7 made of flexible material of the firstpanel 2 and/or of the second panel 3 is attached in the panel 2, 3 so asto be easily replaceable, which is advantageous because the closuredevice according to the present invention can be reused and cantherefore sustain damage in certain portions in the case of repeateddisassembly and reassembly. Moreover, the layer 7 made of flexiblematerial of the first panel 2 and/or the second panel 3 isadvantageously manufactured of elastomer, silicone or rubber.

FIG. 3 c shows schematically and as an example an embodimentcorresponding to FIG. 3 b, but in which the arrangement of said at leastone tube 6 and of the layer 7 made of flexible material is invertedrelative to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 b. As shown in thesefigures, the panel 2, 3 comprising the layer 7 made of flexible materialmay notably also comprise a portion with a greater thickness in order toreceive said layer made of elastomer or another appropriate material.Similarly, the through-openings 5 of the panel 2, 3 receiving said atleast one tube 6 are advantageously arranged so as to have, at the endopposite to the end receiving the tube 6, a portion with a smallerdiameter corresponding to the internal diameter of said tube 6, that isto say corresponding to the diameter of the channel in the tube.

FIGS. 3 a, 3 b and 3 c also show that the third panel 4 comprises, onits surface oriented toward the second panel 3 and covering its zonesuperposed in the second position of the third panel 4 on said at leastone through-opening 5 of the other two panels 2, 3, a layer 4.1 made offlexible material. This layer 4.1 made of flexible material of the thirdpanel 4 is preferably housed freely in a housing 4.2 provided in thethird panel 4 on its surface oriented toward the second panel 3. Thisarrangement of the layer 4.1 makes it possible, once the package isunder relative vacuum and the third panel 4 is in the closed position,that is to say that the inside of the package is subject to anunderpressure and the layer 4.1 is superposed on the through-openings 5of the first and second panels 2, 3, for the underpressure to cause thislayer 4.1 to adhere against the entrance of said at least one opening 5,thereby reinforcing the seal of the closure device 1. This effect may befurther enhanced by manufacturing said layer 4.1 of the third panel 4 ina flexible material such as elastomer, silicone or rubber. Thesematerials make it possible at the same time for the third panel 4 toslide easily in the slides and over the surface of the second panel 3.

FIGS. 4 a, 4 b and 4 c illustrate a possible use of the closure deviceon a package, for example a flexible and very simple bag 20, ofrectangular parallelepipedal shape, furnished with a top opening 21 thatcan be closed by four flexible flaps, two large flaps 22, 23 placed onthe large side of the bag and two small flaps 24, 25 placed on the smallside of the bag.

Such a bag is then almost completely filled with a granular or solidsubstance or commodity 26 to be stored inside it, this substance beingable to be, for example, a cereal such as wheat or maize. Then, thebottom panel 2 of the closure device is placed beneath the two flaps 22,23, in a central zone of the opening 21 that is not covered by the flaps24, 25, and the intermediate panel 3 of the device is placed on the twolarge flaps 22, 23 in a manner superposed on the bottom panel 2, so asto attach the two panels to one another by means of said at least onetube 6 on at least one panel 2, 3 interacting with the correspondingthrough-openings 5 on the other panel 3, 2 respectively with the layer 7made of flexible material in this panel. Said at least one tube 6 is,during this step, placed through the flaps 22, 23, all of the flapsbeing in their folded position for closing the bag 20. The flexibilityof the bag and of the flaps makes it easier to carry out thisinstallation of the closure device 1.

Openings are then made in the two flaps 22, 23 at the through-holes 5 ofthe closure device 1 with the aid of appropriate spikes. As a variant,openings of a size similar to the opening 11 of the top panel 4 of theclosure device may be precut in the zone corresponding to that of thethrough-holes 5, in order to obtain an equivalent result. It thenremains to incorporate the top panel 4 into the slides 8 of the panel 3in order to finalize the installation of the closure device 1 of theinvention on the package or even the bag 20.

FIG. 4 b illustrates the phase of aspirating the air contained in thebag 20, which is carried out by placing the closure device 1 in its openposition as illustrated in FIG. 2 and by positioning the connector 27 ofa vacuum cleaner on the opening 11 of the device. The air contained inthe bag 20 can then pass through the three panels of the closure device1 via the through-holes 5 of the two bottom panels 2, 3 respectively,via the tube 6 comprising a corresponding channel, and via thethrough-hole 11 of the top panel 4, under the effect of the vacuumcleaner.

Under the suction effect and the drop in pressure inside the bag, theflexible flaps of the bag 20 tend to be increasingly pressed against thecontent 26 of the bag and increasingly insulate this content from theoutside. When the suction is considered sufficient, it is enough torapidly move the top panel 4 of the closure device 1 into its closedposition in which its opening 11 is no longer superposed on thethrough-holes 5. In this position, there is no more connection betweenthe outside and the inside of the bag and the relative vacuum obtainedis preserved in a stable manner. The external pressure, greater than theinternal pressure of the bag, tends to compress and deform its flexiblewalls and its flexible flaps, thereby eliminating any potential openingwhich would allow air to enter. FIG. 4 c illustrates the bag 20 closedin its relative vacuum position. As an option, the closure device 1could comprise a lock ensuring that it is kept closed and preventing itfrom being accidentally opened by immobilizing the third panel 4 in theclosed position.

FIGS. 5, 6 a, 6 b and 6 c illustrate a variant embodiment of a packagein which the closure flaps 22′, 23′, 24′ and 25′ have a particular shapein order to promote the sealing of the package when it is closed. FIG. 5illustrates in a simplified manner the rectangular opening of thepackage 21′, surrounded by four flaps in a horizontal plane, twolongitudinal flaps 22′ and 23′ and two lateral flaps 24′ and 25′. Asshown in this figure, the lateral flaps 24′ and 25′ and a longitudinalflap 23′ have an identical width d, for a rectangular opening 21′ of thepackage with a width equal to 1.5 times d, the fourth flap 22′ having awidth equal to that of the opening 21′ of the package.

The various steps of the method for closing this package are illustratedby FIGS. 6 a and 6 b. The four flaps are first folded to occupy aposition substantially perpendicular to the plane of the opening 21′ ofthe package around this opening 21′. The widest flap is folded around atransitory fold line 28′ not corresponding to the boundary of theopening 21′ in order to obtain the folding of a portion of its width ofdimension d, equal to that of the other flaps.

According to a step illustrated by the arrows A in FIG. 6 a, theportions of the lateral flaps 24′ and 25′ extending beyond the planes ofthe longitudinal flaps 22′ and 23′ are folded against these flaps, towhich they can be attached by bonding for example. In the exampleillustrated, the lateral flaps 24′ and 25′ have a length equal to 4times d, their ends coming in the extension of the edges of thelongitudinal flaps. However, other dimensions are possible withoutdeparting from the spirit of this variant installation.

According to a second step illustrated by the arrows B in FIG. 6 a, thelateral flaps 24′, 25′ are then folded over the opening 21′ of thepackage, in order to obtain the configuration illustrated in FIG. 6 b.

Finally, in a final step illustrated by the arrow C in FIG. 6 b, theflaps 22′ and 23′ are folded over the opening 21′ of the package. Forthis, the widest flap 22′ is folded at its junction with the opening 21′and not along its transitory folding line 28′. Therefore, this largeflap 22′ covers the whole of the width of the opening 21′ and issuperposed over a width d with the other longitudinal flap 23′. Theresult obtained is illustrated in FIG. 6 c.

Naturally, a closure device 1 will also be positioned at thesuperposition of the flaps 22′ and 23′. As this superposition occupies aconsiderable surface area, the installation of the attachment devicewill be easy. On the other hand, the various lateral folds, includingthe fact that the two lateral flaps 24′, 25′ have portions folded overthe top surface of the longitudinal flaps 22′, 23′, and this largesurface area of superposition of the flaps make it possible to ensure agood seal of the package and a durable retention of the vacuum.

The closure device 1 makes multiple applications possible.

As illustrated above, it makes it possible to store particularly foodproducts, such as grains or dry fruits, or any other product suited tosuch a package, in a durable and protected manner, the relative vacuumincreasing the conservation time while preventing or delaying thedeterioration of the commodities. In addition, the bag under relativevacuum also represents a sufficient obstacle to prevent external attacksby animals, attacks due to weather phenomena, etc. The bag may betransparent if it is desired to be able to see its content ornontransparent if it is necessary to protect it from the light. Forthis, a bag made of polyethylene, PVC or any food plastic may be used.

In addition, this solution has other advantages such as improvinglarge-volume storage, which is so notably for two reasons. First, thesebags have an imposed identical shape which may be chosen so as to beable to stack them easily and optimally. In addition, the volume of eachbag is reduced thanks to the relative vacuum, which allows highlyoptimized large-volume storage.

Likewise, the transport of these food products packaged in this way ismade much easier.

The dimensions of the package will be determined according to use. Smalldimensions will be adapted to a domestic use, while larger dimensionsmay be chosen for example for an agricultural use.

Finally, this solution is easily adapted to the existing opening of abag with flaps, which is user-friendly and does not require bags withparticular openings.

The closure device has been illustrated as an example with rectangularpanels. Any geometry could however be suitable, such as in particularcircular panels in the case of embodiments of the device using a rotarymovement of the top panel. Preferably, these panels will be made inmaterials that are easily machinable like plastic or light metal.

1. A closure device for a package comprising a first panel with at least one through-opening, a second superposed panel comprising at least one through-opening at least partially superposed on said at least one opening of the first panel and a connection means, and a third panel comprising at least one opening, the third panel being capable of a connection with said connection means of the second panel so as to be able to occupy two positions, a first position in which the opening is at least partially superposed on said at least one opening of the other two panels and a second position in which this opening is not superposed on an opening of the other two panels so as to represent a sealed obstacle to a flow of gas through the device, wherein the second panel and/or the first panel comprises at least one tubedo attached in a substantially perpendicular manner to its surface oriented toward said first panel respectively the second panel and housing a channel in communication with said at least one opening of the second panel respectively of the first panel, the tube having a length capable of at least partially traversing said at least one opening of the first panel respectively of the second panel so as to attach the first panel and the second panel together when the second panel is positioned on the first panel.
 2. The closure device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first panel and/or the second panel comprises a layer made of flexible material in its zone comprising said at least one opening, said layer having at least one opening with a diameter that is slightly smaller than the diameter of said at least one opening of this panel and superposed on this opening, and in that said at least one tube of the second panel respectively of the first panel has an external diameter corresponding to the diameter of said at least one opening of the first panel respectively of the second panel, so that said at least one tube of the second panel respectively of the first panel is capable of interacting with the first panel respectively the second panel in order to attach the two panels together.
 3. The closure device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one tube of the second panel respectively of the first panel is a separately manufactured part comprising an attachment head and is incorporated into the second panel respectively the first panel while being placed in a housing of the panel and covered by an attachment panel having at least one opening superposed on said at least one opening of the panel.
 4. The closure device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one tube of the second panel respectively of the first panel is manufactured in one piece with said panel.
 5. The closure device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the layer made of flexible material of the first panel and/or of the second panel is attached inside the panel or on its surface oriented toward the second panel respectively the first panel.
 6. The closure device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the layer made of flexible material of the first panel and/or the second panel is attached in the panel in a removable manner.
 7. The closure device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the layer made of flexible material of the first panel and/or the second panel is made of elastomer, silicone or rubber.
 8. The closure device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third panel comprises, on its surface oriented toward the second panel and in its zone superposed in the second position of the third panel on said at least one opening of the other two panels, a layer made of flexible material.
 9. The closure device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the layer made of flexible material of the third panel is freely housed in a housing provided in the third panel on its surface oriented toward the second panel.
 10. The closure device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the layer made of flexible material of the third panel is made of elastomer, silicone or rubber.
 11. The closure device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first panel and the second panel comprise several circular openings with a diameter of between 2 and 10 millimeters and/or wherein the third panel comprises a connection means capable of interacting with a standard vacuum cleaner.
 12. The closure device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connection means between the second panel and the third panel comprises slides and/or a rotation spindle.
 13. A package comprising an opening and at least one flap closing this opening, said package comprising a closure device as claimed in claim 1 the first panel of which is placed beneath the flap and the second and third panels of which are placed on the flap, said at least one tube of the second panel and/or of the first panel being applied through the flap so as to attach the closure device to the package, and said package comprising at least one opening in the flap corresponding with at least one opening of the first panel and of the second panel.
 14. The package as claimed in claim 13, said package being parallelepipedal, made of a flexible material and the opening of which is closed by four flaps.
 15. The use of a package as claimed in claim 13 in order to store commodities under relative vacuum. 